Glasses-type wearable terminal and data processing method

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, a display and a sensor signal acceptor which accepts detection signals from a sensor are provided. A first display controller displays a first instruction for instructing a first work on the display, based on the detection signal which indicates an end of preparation for the first work. And, a second display controller displays a second instruction for instructing a next second work on the display, based on the detection signal which indicates an end of the first work.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/979,203 filed Dec. 22, 2015, which is based upon and claims thebenefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-173648,filed Sep. 3, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated hereinby reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a glasses-type wearableterminal and a data processing method.

BACKGROUND

Recently, glasses equipped with a projector capable of projecting animage has been developed as a glasses-type wearable terminal. Theglasses-type wearable terminal is often convenient for a worker whoperforms maintenance of various types of installation and manufacturingdevices in a factory. The worker can see the contents of instructionsthrough a projected image with the glasses-type wearable terminal andcan execute the work instructed by the projected image with both handsin real time.

In addition, the worker can execute cooking of a meal, etc., with bothhands, while looking at the recipe instructed through a projected imagewith a glasses-type wearable terminal.

The worker using the glasses-type wearable terminal can execute theinstructed work with both hands in real time while seeing the contentsof instructions given through a projected image with the glasses-typewearable terminal. For this reason, the worker does not need to move toa position different from the current work position to confirm a contentof next work direction or confirm the content of instruction on adisplay of an installed personal computer, in a conventional manner.

Even if the worker considers having worked based on the content of workinstruction, however, the worker often does not work actually (orforgets work steps) or, even if the worker works, the content of workoften is imperfect. For example, since noise occurs during the work, theworker may forget the work performance of a certain step (or the workmay be imperfect) or the worker may forget closing a door (or close adoor imperfectly). In such a case, when the device for the work (amanufacturing device, a conveying device or the like) works again, anaccident may occur for the reason that the worker forgets the work andthe work is imperfect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A general architecture that implements the various features of theembodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings. Thedrawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate theembodiments and not to limit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an illustration for explaining a configuration of aglasses-type wearable terminal as an example of the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the glasses-type wearable terminalas the example of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing an example of a position detectionsystem using the glasses-type wearable terminal as the example of thepresent embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of theglasses-type wearable terminal as the example of the present embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of a specific function of thedriver 1134 shown in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing an operation example of a system usingthe glasses-type wearable terminal of the present embodiment.

FIG. 5B is a flowchart showing another operation example of the systemusing the glasses-type wearable terminal of the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an illustration for explanation of an example of theglasses-type wearable terminal of the present embodiment in use.

FIG. 7A is an illustration showing an example of a communication systemusing the glasses-type wearable terminal of the present embodiment formaintenance of, for example, a work.

FIG. 7B is an illustration showing another example of a communicationsystem using the glasses-type wearable terminal of the presentembodiment for maintenance of, for example, a work.

FIG. 7C is an illustration showing yet another example of acommunication system using the glasses-type wearable terminal of thepresent embodiment for maintenance of, for example, a work.

FIG. 7D is an illustration showing yet another example of acommunication system using the glasses-type wearable terminal of thepresent embodiment for maintenance of, for example, a work.

FIG. 8 is an illustration showing an example of a state in which theglasses-type wearable terminal of the present embodiment is used at awork location.

FIG. 9 is an illustration showing a detailed structure of a sensordetecting and notifying a work end state.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explanation of a basic structure of anenvironmental vibration power generation device.

FIG. 11 is an illustration (1) of a principle of power storage in theenvironmental vibration power generation device.

FIG. 12 is an illustration (2) of the principle of power storage in theenvironmental vibration power generation device.

FIG. 13 is an illustration (3) of the principle of power storage in theenvironmental vibration power generation device.

FIG. 14 is an illustration (4) of the principle of power storage in theenvironmental vibration power generation device.

FIG. 15 is an illustration (5) of the principle of power storage in theenvironmental vibration power generation device.

FIG. 16 is a diagram of another embodiment of a structure inside asensor.

FIG. 17 is an illustration (1) of arrangement of instantaneous voltagegenerators included in the sensor.

FIG. 18 is an illustration (2) of arrangement of instantaneous voltagegenerators included in the sensor.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explanation of a method of detecting values ofvaried acceleration/angular speed in a control module.

FIG. 20 is an illustration of a structure in communication informationtransmitted from a sensor to a system controller.

FIG. 21 is an illustration for explanation of a vibration propertyobtained before and after a screw fastening work.

FIG. 22 is an illustration for explanation of a state of angular speedvariation generated when a door is closed.

FIG. 23A is an illustration of a structure of a receive antenna used inthe system controller.

FIG. 23B is an illustration of a principle of signal reception of thereceive antenna shown in FIG. 23A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments will be described hereinafter with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

In general, according to one embodiment, a glasses-type wearableterminal and a data processing method are provided, wherein during work,such as artificial manipulation and autonomous working, obtaining thecertainty of work is supported.

According to one embodiment, a glasses-type wearable terminal,comprising: a display; a sensor signal acceptor which accepts detectionsignals from a sensor; a first display controller which urges a firstinstruction for executing a first operation to be displayed on thedisplay, based on the detection signal accepted by the sensor signalacceptor, which indicates an end of preparation for the operation; and asecond display controller which urges a second instruction for executinga next second operation to be displayed on the display, based on thedetection signal accepted by the sensor signal acceptor, which indicatesan end of the first operation.

An embodiment will further be described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiments will be described hereinafter with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are schematic diagrams showing an example of awearable terminal of one of the embodiments. A wearable terminal is aportable terminal device. The wearable terminal is explained as aglasses-type wearable terminal in the present embodiment. Theglasses-type wearable terminal may comprise a camera, a microphone, avibration detecting function or the like to detect a predeterminedinstruction input (control information) from a wearer. The instructioninputs from the wearer include, for example, blocking a lens portion ofthe camera by a hand, clapping hands for the microphone or requesting anext display by sound, giving a predetermined vibration to the vibrationdetecting function, etc. The wearer (worker) can use the glasses-typewearable terminal in a hands-free state.

A glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 comprises a projector (displayinformation producer) 1102, a screen (optical path synthesizer) 1106, adriver (often called an image display circuit, a light source drivingcircuit or a signal processor) 1134, a wireless communication module1136, etc., and operates with the power supplied from a power supplymodule 1132 which is, for example, a button battery.

The projector 1102 executes communications, i.e., delivers and receivesinformation with an information management server or a system controller(not shown) connected with an external network NTW, through the wirelesscommunication module 1136.

In addition, the projector 1102 comprises a light source module 1104, animage display module 1110, a half-mirror surface 1112, a full-reflectionsurface 1114, an emission surface 1116, a lens group 1120, etc. Theprojector 1102 illuminates an image or information displayed by theimage display module 1110, by non-parallel light (divergent light;hereinafter called divergent light) emitted from the light source module1104, and emits (outputs) the projected image which is the reflectedlight (of the illumination light).

The light source module 1104 should preferably be a dimming-type whiteLED light source (L-cos) in which a plurality of, for example, threelight emitting diodes (LED) are different in light color and an outputlight quantity of each diode can be varied independently. If anenvironment of use of the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 is, forexample, a clean room in which, for example, illumination mainly basedon an orange color is often used, the light color can be changed inaccordance with the environment of use by using the dimming-type whiteLED light source for the light source module 1104. In addition, by usingthe dimming-type white LED light source for the light source module 1104and outputting a display color which can easily be seen for the wearer,occurrence of elements which are troubles for the wearer, such as eyefatigue and its attendant migraine, can be avoided as compared with acase of outputting a display color which can hardly be seen for thewearer.

The image display module 1110 is, for example, a reflection LCD moduleand displayed a predetermined image, based on display control of thedriver 1134.

Light 1108 output from the light source module 1104 is reflected on thehalf-mirror surface 1112 to illuminate the image displayed on the imagedisplay module 1110, and is reflected again as image light correspondingto the image (often called image light) corresponding to the image.

The driver 1134 also controls the light emitted from the light sourcemodule 1104 in association with the image (image light) displayed on theimage display module 1110.

The screen 1106 comprises a rear transparent refractor 1124, a Fresnellens type half-mirror surface 1122, and a front transparent refractor1126.

The light (image light) 1108 reflected at the image display module 1110of the screen 1106 passes through the half-mirror surface 1112 and theemission surface 1116. Then, the image light is given a predeterminedimage size by the lens group 1120 and reaches the Fresnel lens typehalf-mirror surface 1122 of the optical path synthesizer 1106.

The image light 1108 passing through the lens group 1120 and reachingthe Fresnel lens type half-mirror surface 1122 of the screen 1106 isreflected in part on the Fresnel lens type half-mirror surface 1122 toform a virtual image corresponding to the image (image light) displayedon the image display module 1110.

The screen 1106 transmits a part of an image seen in the extension of aline of sight of the wearer (wearing the glasses-type wearable terminal1100), i.e., a background image and displays the image together with theimage light corresponding to the image such that the wearer can visuallyrecognize the image.

Part of the image light (divergent light) 1108 emitted from the lightsource module 1104 and passing through the half-mirror surface 1112 iswholly reflected on the full-reflection surface 1114 and refracted onthe emission surface 1116, and becomes leakage light 1118 (i.e.,divergent light) from the light source module 1104. The leakage light1118 is released to the outside through an opening or a gap (guideportion) 1128. A function of obtaining the leakage light 1118 is notindispensable.

As shown in FIG. 2, the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 comprisesoperation buttons including a speaker 1140, a (slide) switch 1142, a(rotary) knob 1144, etc., at a predetermined position of the projector1102, for example, on a bottom surface portion of the projector 1102.The switch 1142 can adjust, for example, luminance of the image light1108 emitted from the projector 1102. The knob 1144 can adjust, forexample, an angle of projection of the image light 1108 emitted from theprojector 1102. The wearer (user) can adjust the luminance and the angleof projection by blind touch while visually recognizing the imageprojected on the screen 1106, by operating the switch 1142 and the knob1144. In other words, display luminance and color tone of the imagesuitable for taste of the user (wearer) can be provided by operating theswitch 1142. In addition, the image can be displayed at an optimumposition in accordance with the shape and size of the head of the user(wearer), by adjusting the angle of projection by the knob 1144. Thepositions of the switch 1142 and the knob 1144 may be opposite to eachother.

The position of the glasses-type wearable terminal (wearer) and thewearer's state can be detected by using the leakage light from theglasses-type wearable terminal shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The principleof detecting the position of the glasses-type wearable terminal (wearer)and the wearer's state will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4A and4B.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration showing a basic concept of thedetection system of the embodiment using the leakage light 1118 from thelight source module 1104 of the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100.

The detection system of the embodiment includes at least oneglasses-type wearable terminal 1100 (−1 to −m), at least one wirelesssensor chip 1204 (−1 to −n), and a system controller 1200. They canreceive and deliver the information by mutual communications. The mutualcommunications may be wired or wireless communications, but shouldpreferably be, for example, near field communication such as Bluetooth(registered trademark). More preferably, if they collaborate with eachother by near field communication, collaborative operations andcollaborative processing between the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100and the wireless sensor chip 1204 can be executed without receiving aninfluence from free movement of the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100.Alternatively, if they collaborate with each other by near fieldcommunication, collaborative operations and collaborative processingbetween the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 and the wireless sensorchip 1204 can be executed without receiving an influence from freechange of the arrangement location of the wireless sensor chip 1204. Thewireless communication scheme applied to the present system is notlimited, various types of the communication schemes may be adopted andthe wireless communication schemes may be changeable.

In the detection system of the embodiment, the light 1108 output fromthe light source module 1104 of the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100is intermittently modulated with the information includingidentification of the glasses-type wearable terminal (Identification:hereinafter often called terminal ID) such that the individualidentification information, i.e., an arbitrary number of glasses-typewearable terminals 1100 can be identified. For example, the light 1108emitted from the light source module 1104 is modulated with theinformation signal including the terminal ID. The wireless sensor chip1204 transmits the received information signal to the system controller1200. The system controller can thereby associate the glasses-typewearable terminal 1100 with the wireless sensor chip 1204.

In the detection system of the embodiment, as explained above, theglasses-type wearable terminal 1100 is used as “an informationtransmission source” by using the leakage light 1118. Thus, themulti-functional glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 can be implementedwith the information transmission function besides the display functionof the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100. Then, variety of the systemcomprising the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 can be achieved.

As the method of modulating the amount of light emission of the lightsource module 1104, for example, not a chopper-type modulation scheme ofintermittently reducing the amount of light emission to zero, but amodulation scheme of maintaining the amount of light emission more thana predetermined amount even if the light amount is small is adopted.Burden on the wearer's eyes can be thereby reduced. As regards themodulation scheme, for example, a digital sum value (DSV) freemodulation scheme (i.e., a scheme of calculating DSV of a modulatedsignal at any time and) is adopted. Thus, variation in the amount oflight emission can be suppressed in a comparatively long range (i.e.,variation in the amount of light emission can be macroscopically reducedto zero at any time) and the burden on the wearer's eyes can be furtherreduced.

An effect of reducing the burden on the wearer's eyes can also beproduced by setting the reference frequency of the modulation to behigher than or equal to 10 Hz, for example, higher than or equal to 20Hz, more preferably, higher than or equal to 60 Hz since an eye of aperson can recognize a variation of approximately 0.02 seconds. Incontrast, since the LED used in the light source module 1104 has aninner impedance and connection capacitance, the modulation frequency ofgood accuracy should preferably be lower than 100 MHz, more desirably,10 MHz. Therefore, the reference frequency of modulation at the lightsource module 1104 used in the detection system of the embodiment shouldpreferably be in a range of 10 Hz to 100 MHz, more desirably, 10 Hz to10 MHz.

In addition, the leakage light 1118 (transmitted light 1158) which isthe divergent light from the light source module 1104 is used in thedetection system of the embodiment. The amount of the light detected bythe wireless sensor chip 1204 is thereby varied in accordance with adistance 6 between the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 and thewireless sensor chip 1204. By using this phenomenon, the distancebetween the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 and the wireless sensorchip 1204 (or the orientation of the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100to the wireless sensor chip 1204) can be predicted.

The light can be detected within a comparatively wide range by using thedivergent light as the leakage light 1118 (transmitted light 1158) fromthe light source module 1104. As a result, the position of theglasses-type wearable terminal 1100 (i.e., the distance between theglasses-type wearable terminal 1100 and the wireless sensor chip 1204 orthe glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 (i.e., the orientation of theorientation of the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 to the wirelesssensor chip 1204) can be detected by merely installing a comparativelysmall number of wireless sensor chips 1204 (−1 to −n). An expenserequired to install the detection system can be thereby reduced.

The light amount information of the leakage light 1118 (transmittedlight 1158) from the light source module 1104, which is detected by thewireless sensor chip 1204 is transmitted from the wireless sensor chip1204 to the system controller (or an information management server) atpredetermined timing. The system controller 1200 analyzes theinformation from the wireless sensor chip 1204 which is collected by thesystem controller (or compiled in the information management server).The position of an arbitrary glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 (−1 to−m), i.e., the wearer and the wearer's state can be thereby estimated.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the wireless sensor chip 1204 isfixed and the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 is movable on aworkbench 1206 (i.e., a rack or a work space). However, the wirelesssensor chip 1204 (and the workbench 1206 or the article) may also bemovable. In this case, the movable workbench 1206 or a distributed stateof the article may also be detected by mutual communication between thewireless sensor chip 1204 attached to the article or the movableworkbench 1206 and the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 at adetermined position (i.e., the fixed position or the state of being usedby the user).

FIG. 4A shows an example of a main electric processing block 1150 of theglasses-type wearable terminal 1100. Portions like or similar to thoseshown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numbers andsymbols. The driver 1134 comprises a central processing unit (CPU), aread-only memory (ROM) storing predetermined basic data, software, etc.,and a random-access memory (RAM) capable of writing temporary data. Thefunctions of the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 can easily bemodified by rewriting initial data and software stored in the memoriesof the driving modules 1134. The operation button group including theswitch 1142, the knob 1144, etc., further includes a power switch, etc.

The glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 may incorporate a sensor group1152 including a plurality of sensors. The glasses-type wearableterminal 1100 may incorporate, for example, a microphone 1153, aposition detection sensor 1154, a state detection sensor 1155, etc.,besides the camera 1138.

The position detection sensor 1145 detects a position in a plurality ofmanners such as a manner of reading a bar code of a fixed position with,for example, the camera 1138 or a manner of receiving positioninformation from a plurality of communication devices at fixed positionsby the communication module 1136 to recognize the position information.

The state detection sensor 1155 comprises, for example, sensors such asan acceleration sensor, a gyroscope, etc., and detects worker's states,based on information output from the acceleration sensor and thegyroscope. The worker's states are, for example, “working” representedby “A”, “moving” represented by “B”, “waiting” represented by “C”, “workstart” represented by “D”, “work end” represented by “E”, etc. Theworker's states are transmitted to the information management server orthe system controller via the network NTW. The sensor group 1152 mayalso include a color sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, aline-of-sight sensor, etc.

The communication module 1136 can establish mutual communication withthe external system controller 1200 via a wireless and/or wired network.

FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of a specific function of thedriver 1134 shown in FIG. 4A. An operation input accepter 1134 a acceptsan operation signal from the operation button operated by the wearer(worker) of the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 or an operationsignal received by the communication module 1136 and determines theoperation content. If the operation signal is a signal which urges anydisplay to be executed, the operation signal is input to a displaycontroller 1134 b. If the operation signal is a signal which should betransmitted to the outside, the operation signal is transmitted to thecommunication module 1136.

The display controller 1134 b comprises a plurality of displaycontrollers (a first display controller, a second display controller, .. . ) and can change the display data in accordance with a determinationresult from a determiner 1134 c. The determiner 1134 c comprises aplurality of determiners (a first determiner, a second determiner, . . .) and can obtain a determination result corresponding to a detectionsignal from a sensor signal accepter 1134 d. The sensor signal accepter1134 d accepts various types of sensor detection signals from the sensorgroup 1152. Various types of sensor detection signals from the sensorgroup 1152 may be transmitted to the system controller 1200 via thecommunication module 1136, based on the determination result of thedeterminer 1134 c.

The functional blocks may be implemented by software stored in thememory of the driver 1134.

FIG. 5A shows a system operation flow of accepting work instructions viathe display image of the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 when theworker executes, for example, maintenance of a manufacturing device orrepair of a broken machine. The work instruction image data is storedin, for example, the RAM of the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100. Thework instruction image data read from the RAM is displayed on, forexample, the image display module 1110.

For example, the worker wearing the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100reaches a work location and, for example, presses a work start buttonlocated at the work location or makes specific gesture. Work instructionwait information (switch information or state detection information)from the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 is thereby transmitted tothe system controller 1200. The system controller 1200 receiving thework instruction wait data determines a work content (also called a worktype or work name) and transmits the work start instruction data to theglasses-type wearable terminal 1100.

The work content is preliminarily divided into a plurality of work units(i.e., a plurality of segmented works), segmented work instructions areformed for the respective work units, and the segmented workinstructions are prepared as instruction image data. The instructionimage data may be prestored in, for example, the RAM of the glasses-typewearable terminal 1100 or may be transmitted from the system controller1200 to the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 for each of thesegmented works. It is preferable that a work process for executing thework such as maintenance should be divided into a plurality of workunits and that each work unit should be segmented in order to urge theworker to certainly execute the work. The instruction image data is amessage or icon image, a moving image or a combination thereof.Alternatively, the instruction image data may be displayed as a colorimage.

First work start instruction data received from the system controller1200 via the communication module 1136 is input to the operation inputaccepter 1134 a.

Then, the operation input accepter 1134 a controls the displaycontroller 1134 b, and the work instruction is thereby started. When thework instruction is started, a first work instruction is presented tothe glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 by the instruction image data(step SA1). The worker understands the work instruction and starts thewok. When the worker starts the work, the work start is recognized bythe glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 and the system controller 1200,based on, for example, various types of sensor outputs (step SA2).

If the work start is recognized, the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100and/or the system controller 1200 controls the first work instruction tobe non-displayed (step SA3). In other words, display of the first workinstruction does not disturb the worker's work.

If an abnormal condition is detected while the worker is working (stepSA4), abnormal display is executed and the flow returns to step SA1. Theabnormal condition of the work is determined based on, for example, anoutput of an abnormal temperature detection sensor, an abnormal humiditydetection sensor, an abnormal acceleration sensor, an abnormal positiondetection sensor, an abnormal light sensor or the like in the sensorgroup 1152.

When the work proceeds smoothly and the first work is completed, thefirst work completion is detected by the sensor (step SA5). For example,an acceleration sensor, a pressure sensor, etc., are used. Whencompletion of the first work is detected, then a second work instructionis presented (step SA6). Then, detection of a second work start anddetection of a second work end are executed, and a third workinstruction is presented, similarly to the first work instruction.

When a last work instruction is presented and detection of a last workend is executed, a new next instruction is presented. The newinstruction is, for example, an instruction for rest, evacuation, nextwork, movement to a next work location, or the like. In the presentembodiment, a constituent element for executing the display controland/or a process of the display control is an important element, andenables the worker's work to be properly managed and controlled.

As explained above, the embodiment basically comprises the displaymodule and the sensor signal acceptor which accepts a detection signalfrom the sensor. The first display controller urges the display moduleto display a first instruction for executing the first work, based onthe detection signal indicating the end of the work preparation which isaccepted by the sensor signal acceptor, and the second displaycontroller urges the display module to display a second instruction forexecuting the second work, based on the detection signal indicating theend of the first work which is accepted by the sensor signal acceptor.

In addition, the embodiment also relates to a data processing method ofthe glasses-type wearable terminal comprising the driving module forprocessing the work instruction data. The processing method comprisesurging the display module to display the first instruction for executingthe first work, based on the detection signal indicating the end of thework preparation which is accepted by the sensor signal acceptor, andurging the display module to display the second instruction forexecuting the second work, based on the detection signal indicating theend of the first work which is accepted by the sensor signal acceptor.

A third display controller may be provided. The third display controllerenables the first instruction to be non-displayed, based on thedetection signal indicating the start of the first work which isaccepted by the sensor signal acceptor.

FIG. 5B is a flowchart showing yet another operation example of thesystem using the glasses-type wearable terminal of the presentembodiment. The drawing illustrates control operations to be executedafter the worker starts moving to the work location. When an instructionto move is given to the worker via the glasses-type wearable terminal1100, the worker starts moving. The instruction to move to apredetermined position is given to the worker (step SC2). At this time,the worker's movement is detected (step SC1). An output of an attitudedetector sensor such as an acceleration sensor or a gyroscope sensor isused for the worker's movement. If the worker stop is detected (stepSC3), it is determined whether the worker stops at a normal position(i.e., an instructed target position) (step SC6).

If the worker does not stop after a while, it is determined whether morethan a predetermined time has passed (step SC4). If the worker does notstop after more than a predetermined time, it is determined that sometrouble occurs, a warning is displayed via the glasses-type wearableterminal 1100, and a stop instruction is made.

If the worker does not stop at a normal position in step SC6, it isdetermined that the work position is an abnormal position (step SC7), awarning is displayed via the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100, and aninstruction to move to a predetermined position is displayed.

If the worker stops at the normal position, the work instructionexplained with reference to FIG. 5A is started. After it is determinedthat the final work is ended, for example, a return instruction isdisplayed.

The embodiment described in the present specification does not limit theterm “worker”, but it may be explained as a wearer who wears theglasses-type wearable terminal. In addition, the term “work” is notlimited either, and can be replaced with any terms such as action,sales, diagnosis, warning, maintenance, monitoring, and action of thewearer of the glasses-type wearable terminal.

The steps of detection, determination and display control are explainedwith reference to FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B. However, the blocks shown in FIG.5A and FIG. 5B may be constituted as main hardware configuration blocks.As the basic configuration, constituent elements to execute the displaycontrol and/or steps of the display control are important elements.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the work process executed by the worker inaccordance with the work instruction, together with a display example ofthe glasses-type wearable terminal 1100. The worker wearing theglasses-type wearable terminal 1100 is assumed to reach a work locationand, for example, press a work start button located at the work locationor make a specific gesture. Then, for example, communications betweenthe glasses-type wearable terminal 110 and the system controller 1200are started. The worker's work at a work location is assumed to, forexample, tighten a screw 2001 in a housing 2005 of a manufacturingdevice. It is assumed that a door 2006 of the housing 2005 is opened andthe opening is exposed.

When communications with the system controller 1200 are started, aninstruction is transmitted to the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100by, for example, the system controller 1200 and a display such as“Tighten the screw” is made (step SB1). The worker inserts a driver 2002into the housing through the opening to start the operation oftightening the screw 2001. Then, a sensor (for example, the accelerationsensor) 2021 attached to the screw 2001 or the driver 2002 detects theacceleration (step SB2). Thus, when the work of tightening the screw isstarted, the acceleration sensor 2021 detects rotation of the screw.

Since the rotation detection signal is transmitted to the systemcontroller 1200, the system controller 1200 recognizes that the work isstarted. Then, the system controller 1200 outputs a command to erase thecurrent instruction “Tighten the screw”. The work location can easily bethereby seen with the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100.

When the screw is tightened and tightening is stopped, a detectionoutput of he sensor 2021 becomes zero. At this time, the sensordetection signal is also transmitted to the system controller 1200 viathe communication module 1136. The system controller 1200 therebydetermines that tightening the screw is completed (step SB3). The systemcontroller 1200 transmits a next instruction. The next instruction isassumed to be an instruction such as “Close door” (step SB4). The workercloses a door 2006 in accordance with the instruction (step SB5). Atthis time, i.e., when the door 2006 is rotated in a closing direction, asensor (for example, an acceleration sensor) 2022 detects the rotationstart of the door 2006. At this time, the detection signal istransmitted to the system controller 1200 via the communication module1136. The system controller 1200 thereby detects the rotation start ofthe door 2006. When the door 2006 is closed and the rotation is stopped,the sensor (for example, the acceleration sensor) 2022 detects the stopof the door 2006 (i.e., closing of the door 2006). At this time, thesensor detection signal is also transmitted to the system controller1200 via the communication module 1136. The system controller 1200thereby determines that closing the screw is completed (step SB5). Anext instruction is transmitted to the glasses-type wearable terminal1100. For example, the system controller 1200 transmits an instructionsuch as “Closing door is completed. Please wait” (step SB6).

As explained, a plurality of segmented works are executed serially anddetection of the start and end of each segmented work is executed. Forthis reason, each work is executed certainly, and the work can beprevented from being not executed (i.e., for getting the work steps canbe prevented), and the work can be prevented from being incomplete. As aresult, safety of a device serving as a work target (a manufacturingdevice, a conveying device or the like) and safety of a manufactureditem, a conveyed item or the like can be secured.

As shown in FIG. 7A to FIG. 7D, if an instruction based on the imagedata is displayed on the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100, a methodof producing the instruction and a method of acquiring the image datacan be implemented by various embodiments.

FIG. 7A shows an example of mounting a sensor 2500 on a work target (amanufacturing device, a conveyed article, a component or the like) 2400.In this example, a movement (work start and work completion) detectionsignal of the work target is output from the sensor 2500 mounted on thework target 2400. In addition, various types of instruction image dataare stored in the memories in the driver 1134 of the glasses-typewearable terminal 1100. The embodiment is useful when communicationsbetween the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 and the systemcontroller 1200 are difficult.

FIG. 7B shows the embodiment available when a sensor is not mounted onthe work target 2400. In the present embodiment, the sensors mounted onthe glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 is effectively utilized. Forexample, the camera, the temperature sensor, the humidity sensor, thelight sensor, the sight sensor, the color sensor, etc., are effectivelyutilized. The glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 can transmit thedetection signals from the sensors to the system controller 1200. Thesystem controller 1200 determines the instruction content which shouldbe transmitted to the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 in accordancewith the detection signals of the sensors, and transmits the instructiondata to the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100. The glasses-typewearable terminal 1100 can transmit determine the image data whichshould be displayed, speech which should be produced, etc., inaccordance with the instruction data, and supply the work instruction tothe worker (wearer).

FIG. 7C shows an example of mounting the sensor 2500 on the work target(a manufacturing device, a conveyed article, a component or the like)2400. In the present embodiment, the sensor 2500 establishescommunications with the system controller 1200, and the systemcontroller 1200 transmits instruction data to the glasses-type wearableterminal 1100. According to the present embodiment, the systemcontroller 1200 can recognize a progress of work of a first set of thework target 1400 and the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 at anytime. In addition, the system controller 1200 can also recognize aprogress of work of second set of the other work target and theglasses-type wearable terminal. As a result, the system controller 2400can also adjust the proceeding of work of the first set and the secondset. For example, instructions of contents indicating “Suspend work”,“Hurry work”, etc., can be issued.

FIG. 7D shows the embodiment available when a sensor is not mounted onthe work target 2400. In the present embodiment, the sensors mounted onthe glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 is effectively utilized. Thepresent embodiment is useful when communications between theglasses-type wearable terminal 1100 and the system controller 1200 aredifficult. The glasses-type wearable terminal 1100 incorporates, forexample, the camera, the temperature sensor, the humidity sensor, thelight sensor, the sight sensor, the color sensor, etc., which areeffectively utilized. In the present embodiment, various types ofinstruction image data for conducting work instructions are stored inthe memories of the glasses-type wearable terminal 1100. The next workinstruction image data is selected in accordance with the detectionsignals of the sensors, and displayed on the display module of theglasses-type wearable terminal 1100.

The embodiments shown in FIG. 7A to FIG. 7D may be combined.Alternatively, operation modes shown in FIG. 7A to FIG. 7D may bechanged in accordance with a mode change signal.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a state in which the glasses-type wearableterminal of the present embodiment is used at a work location. A set ofa glasses-type wearable terminal 1100_1 and a work target 2400_1 adoptsthe communication mode as explained with reference to FIG. 7A or FIG.7C. In addition, a set of a glasses-type wearable terminal 11002 and awork target 2400_2, a set of a glasses-type wearable terminal 1100_3 anda work target 2400_3, and a set of a glasses-type wearable terminal1100_4 and a work target 2400_4 also adopt the communication mode asexplained with reference to FIG. 7A or FIG. 7C. A set of a glasses-typewearable terminal 1100_5 and a work target 2400_5 and a set of aglasses-type wearable terminal 1100_6 and a work target 2400_6 adopt thecommunication mode as explained with reference to FIG. 7B or FIG. 7D.

The system controller 1200 can establish communications with each of theglasses-type wearable terminals 1100_1 to 1100_6 and can update thedata, and update and rewrite the software in the memories of eachterminal. An information management server 1201 stores previous workachievement, data on a check result of each work target, instructionimage data on each work target, etc. The system controller 1200 can readthe data of the information management server 1201 and transmit the datato the glasses-type wearable terminals as needed. In addition, thesystem controller 1200 can also transmit the data transmitted from theglasses-type wearable terminals and the sensors of the work targets tothe information management server 1201 as storage data.

As explained above, the sensor signal acceptor of the glasses-typewearable terminal can accept sensor signals from a plurality of sensors.The sensor signal acceptor may accept sensor signals from a plurality ofsensors mounted on the main body of the glasses-type wearable terminal.Furthermore, the sensor signal acceptor may accept sensor signals from aplurality of external sensors via the antenna. In addition, theglasses-type wearable terminal may comprise a memory and produce firstand second instructions, based on data stored in the memory. Inaddition, the glasses-type wearable terminal may be designed to comprisean antenna and accept the first and second instructions from an externalmanagement module via the antenna.

FIG. 9 shows a detailed structure inside the sensor. The sensor 2021 or2022 which detects completion of the worker's predetermined work at thework location, etc., has a structure enabling the sensor to beadditionally installed at an existing device (corresponding to the screw2001 or the door 2006 in FIG. 6) in the existing environment orproduction facilities.

One of methods for automatically detecting completion of the worker'swork is a method of replacing the existing device with a new producingdevice which preliminarily incorporates a plurality of sensors 2021 and2022 capable of detecting a predetermined work completion state. In thismethod, however, much investment costs are required for the devicereplacement. In contrast, if a method of additionally installing thesensors 2021 and 2022 which are at very low costs themselves in anexisting environment or an existing device is adopted, an effect ofautomatically detecting the worker's work completion state at very lowcosts can be obtained.

As the method of additionally installing the sensors 2021 and 2022, anadhesive element 3008 is formed at a contact portion between the sensors2021, 2022 and the existing environment or the existing device, in theembodiment shown in FIG. 9. More specifically, the adhesive element 3008at the portion which is in contact with the existing environment or theexisting device may be constituted by, for example, an adhesive sheethaving a great strength. In this case, a cover sheet is preliminarilyattached to the portion of the adhesive element 3008 in contact with theexisting environment or the existing device when the sensor 2021 or 2022is shipped, and the cover sheet is detached at the installation place ofthe sensor 2021 or 2022 to allow the adhesive element 3008 to directlyadhere to the existing environment or the existing device. In additionto this, the adhesion property (or the bonding property) may not bepreliminarily imparted to the portion of the adhesive element 3008 incontact with the existing environment or the existing device, but theportion of the adhesive element 3008 which is in direct contact with theexisting environment or the existing device may be impregnated with abonding agent and adhered when the sensor 2021 or 2022 is installed.Furthermore, the sensor 2021 or 2022 may be fixed to the existingenvironment or the existing device by screws, etc., by using theadhesive element 3008 at the portion which is in contact with theexisting environment or the existing device, as the other method ofadditionally installing the sensor 2021 or 2022.

In the structure shown in FIG. 9, an acceleration sensor module or theangular speed sensor module 3006 is arranged to be adjacent to theadhesive element 3008 at the portion in contact with the existingenvironment or the existing device. The acceleration sensor module orangular speed sensor module 3006 arranged more closely to the existingenvironment or the existing device surface at which the sensors shouldbe additionally installed can detect the acceleration or the angularspeed of the existing device or the existing environment more exactly.Thus, as shown in FIG. 9, the effect of detecting the acceleration orthe angular speed of an target object (corresponding to the screw 2001or the door 2006 in FIG. 6) more exactly can be obtained by arrangingthe acceleration sensor module or angular speed sensor module 3006 atthe position more closely to the device (or environmental object) atwhich the sensors should be additionally installed than to a controller3002, a near field communication module 3004 or an environmentalvibration power generation device 3000.

In the present embodiment, a low G acceleration sensor having ameasurement range below 20G (where 1G represents the gravitationalacceleration of the Earth) is used as the acceleration sensor. When thesensor is used as the acceleration sensor, an outer wall portion of theacceleration sensor module or angular speed sensor module 3006constitutes a fixing module, and a sensor element moving module isinstalled in the fixing module (inside the acceleration sensor module orangular speed sensor module 3006), but a detailed internal structure ofthe moving module is not shown in FIG. 9. The acceleration is detectedwith variation in the position of the sensor element moving module tothe fixing module. In the present embodiment, either the electrostaticcapacitance detection type (for detecting the electrostatic capacitancevariation between the fixing module and the sensor element movingmodule) or the piezoresistance type (for detecting distortion at a sprigportion by using a piezoresistive element arranged at a spring portionconnecting the fixing module and the sensor element moving module) maybe applied.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the vibration type using theMicro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) technology may be used as theangular speed (gyroscope sensor). Similarly to the above-explainedacceleration sensor, a basic structure of the angular speed (gyroscopesensor) is constituted by a fixing module composed of the outer wallportion of the acceleration sensor module or angular speed sensor module3006 and a sensor element moving module installed in the fixing module(inside the acceleration sensor module or angular speed sensor module3006). A plurality of first and second comb electrodes arrangedorthogonally to each other are arranged inside the fixing module. Thevoltage is alternately applied to the first comb electrodes to vibratethe sensor element moving module in a certain cycle. When theacceleration sensor module or angular speed sensor module 3006 isrotated, the sensor element moving module relatively makes a rotationalmovement to the fixing module. Next, the angular speed is detected byrecognizing the rotary displacement as variation in the capacitance bythe second comb electrodes. Incidentally, the angular sensor (gyroscopesensor) of not only the above-explained mechanical system, but also ageomagnetic type, an optical type or a mechanical type may be used inthe present embodiment.

Data based on the acceleration or the angular speed detected in theabove-explained manner is transmitted to the system controller 1200 (seeFIG. 7) via the near field communication module 3004. Signal processingof the signal from which the data is obtained from operation control ofthe near field communication module 3004 or from the acceleration sensormodule or angular speed sensor module 3006 is executed inside thecontroller 3002. An effect of lowering the position of the sensor 2021or 2022 can be obtained by arranging the near field communication module3004 and the controller 3002 in the same row as shown in FIG. 9.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, feed of the power (powersupply) necessary for operations of the acceleration sensor module orangular speed sensor module 3006 and the near field communication module3004 and the controller 3002 is executed by the environmental vibrationpower generation device (of the piezoelectric type or the electrostatictype) 3000. If a cable is used for the power supply (power feed) to thesensor 2021 or 2022, change of interconnects becomes complicated everytime the installation position of the sensor 2021 or 2022 is changed. Inaddition, if replaceable batteries are used as the power supply (powerfeed) and a number of sensors 2021 or 2022 are installed, a problemarises that battery replacement becomes very complicated. In the presentembodiment, energy of the acceleration and the angular speed to bedetected is used as the power supply (power feed) by taking advantage ofthe characteristic of the sensor 2021 or 2022 of detecting theacceleration and the angular speed. As a result, since the power feedusing cables is unnecessary, an effect of eliminating not onlycomplication in the change of interconnects caused by the change ofinstallation position of the sensor 2021 or 2022, but complication inthe battery replacement can be obtained.

In general, when an earthquake occurs, an upper position of a tallbuilding shakes more radically than an interior of a one-storiedbuilding. Thus, in a structure protruding from a vibration surface, agreater vibration occurs at a position remote from the vibration surface(i.e., the vibration amplitude is great). In the present embodimentusing this phenomenon, the environmental vibration power generationdevice 3000 is arranged at a position farthest from the adhesive element3008 at the portion which is in contact with the existing environment orthe existing device, as shown in FIG. 9. In other words, theenvironmental vibration power generation device 3000 is arranged at theposition farther from the adhesive element 3008 at the portion which isin contact with the existing environment or the existing device, thanfrom the acceleration sensor module or angular speed sensor module 3006and the near field communication module 3004 and the controller 3002. Aneffect of maximizing the efficiency in power generation can be therebyobtained.

FIG. 10 shows a basic structure inside the environmental vibration powergeneration device 3000 shown in FIG. 9. A part of this structure issimilar to the basic structure of the acceleration sensor or the angularspeed sensor. In other words, an interior of the environmental vibrationpower generation device 3000 is composed of a fixing module 3100 and asensor element moving module 3102, and the sensor element moving module3102 is movable to the fixing module 3100 in response to an externalenvironmental vibration.

In addition, an instantaneous voltage generator 3104 which is movablesynchronously with the movement of the sensor element moving module 3102is formed to generate an instantaneous voltage in accordance with themovement of the sensor element moving module 3102. A type of using apiezoelectric element, of the instantaneous voltage generator 3104, iscalled “piezoelectric” and a type of using an electric (i.e., aninsulator having a semipermanent charge), of the instantaneous voltagegenerator 3104, is called “electrostatic”.

The instantaneous voltage generated by the instantaneous voltagegenerator 3104 is converted into a direct current, smoothed, and boostedby a booster 3106. An output power of the booster 3106 is stored in astorage module 3108.

A specific operation principle in the environmental vibration powergeneration device 3000 shown in FIG. 10 will be explained with referenceto FIG. 11 to FIG. 15. When the instantaneous voltage generator 3104 ofthe piezoelectric type or the electrostatic type is adopted, the devicessubsequent with the booster 3106 can be used commonly as shown in FIG.11 to FIG. 15. Thus, the principle of power storage of both thepiezoelectric type and the electrostatic type will be explained in FIG.11 to FIG. 15. When the piezoelectric type is adopted, an output from apiezoelectric element 3130 is linked to an input terminal 3116 side.When the electrostatic type is adopted, an output from a metal electrodesubstrate 3138 is linked to the input terminal 3116 side.

In other words, in the piezoelectric type, as shown in FIG. 11 to FIG.15, a connector which links the fixing module 3100 and the sensorelement moving module 3102 corresponds to the instantaneous voltagegenerator 3104, and the piezoelectric element 3130 is installed in theconnector. If the sensor element moving module 3102 is greatly shiftedfrom a neutral position with respect to the fixing module 3100, anelectromotive voltage is generated between both sides of thepiezoelectric element 3130. Conversely, if the sensor element movingmodule 3102 returns to a neutral position, an electromotive voltagebetween both sides of the piezoelectric element 3130 is reduced.

In addition, an electric member 3134 is installed in the fixing module3100, in the electrostatic type, as shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 15. Theelectric indicates an insulator having a semipermanent charge, and cytopor the like can be used as a specific material. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 11 to FIG. 15, a surface of the electric member 3134 is chargedwith negative charge at any time. An electric electrode substrate 3132is connected to the electric member 3134, and a relative potential ofthe electric member 3134 is held at 0V at any time. A movablecounter-electrode 3136 is installed near the negatively charged electricmember 3134. The instantaneous voltage is generated by allowing thecounter-electrode 3136 to move to the electric member 3134. Thecounter-electrode 3136 is therefore installed in the instantaneousvoltage generator 3104 explained with reference to FIG. 10. In addition,the metal electrode substrate 3138 is connected to the counter-electrode3136, and charges are supplied to the counter-electrode 3136 via themetal electrode substrate 3138. The metal electrode substrate 3138 istherefore contained in the sensor element moving module 3102 explainedwith reference to FIG. 10. The sensor element moving module 3102 or theinstantaneous voltage generator 3104 is constituted by a combination ofthe metal electrode substrate 3138 and the counter-electrode 3136. Anabsolute value of the amount of negative charges on the surface of theelectric member 3134 needs to match an amount of positive charges on thecounter surface in the counter-electrode 3136 in close vicinity, basedon a theory of electromagnetic capacitor. Thus, when the position of thecounter-electrode 3136 corresponds to the position of the electricmember 3134, the most amount of positive charges is accumulated on thecounter surface in the counter-electrode 3136. Conversely, if theposition of the counter-electrode 3136 is greatly displaced from theposition of the electric member 3134, the amount of positive chargesaccumulated on the counter surface in the counter-electrode 3136 becomessmall. The positive charges accumulated on the counter surface is movedto the other location via the metal electrode substrate 3138.

A signal detector 3110 is arranged at a voltage output terminal of theinstantaneous voltage generator 3104 in FIG. 11 to FIG. 15, but is notshown in FIG. 10. The acceleration and the angular speed can be detectedby using the output from the signal detector 3110. More specifically, aresistor 3120 is installed in the signal detector 3110, and theinstantaneous voltage generated by the instantaneous voltage generator3104 flows inside the resistor 3120. When the current flows inside theresistor 3120, the voltage is instantaneously generated on both sides ofthe resistor 3120. Variation in instantaneous current from the outsidecan be monitored by buffering the instantaneous voltage by adifferential buffer amplifier 3112.

In FIG. 11 to FIG. 15, a Cockcroft-Walton circuit is explained as anexample of the booster 3106, but at least a circuit capable ofrectifying or smoothing the current or amplifying the voltage may beused instead. A capacitor element 3128 is explained as an example of theinterior of the storage module 3108, but a repeatedly chargeable anddischargeable battery may be used instead.

In FIG. 11 to FIG. 15, a shaded arrow 3114 represents a direction ofmovement of the sensor element moving module and a hollow arrow 3142represents a current direction. If the sensor element moving module 3102moves to the left side as shown in FIG. 11, the electromotive voltagebetween inner terminals (surfaces) of the piezoelectric element 3130becomes small since a distortion amount of the piezoelectric element3130 becomes small. Thus, reduced positive charges flow from the inputterminal 3116 to the piezoelectric element 3130. The left side and theright side indicate directions on sheets of drawings.

In the electrostatic type, if the position of the counter-electrode 3136is moved to the left side, the amount of positive charges deposited onthe surface of the counter-electrode 3136 is increased, and thedeposited positive charges flow into the input terminal 3116 via themetal electrode substrate 3138. As a result, a current 3148 flows fromthe right side to the left side, inside the resistor 3120, in both thepiezoelectric and electrostatic types. Since the positive charges aresupplied from the left electrode of a capacitor element 3122-1, the leftelectrode is charged with negative charges after the supply. Then, thecurrent 3148 flows to the right electrode of the corresponding capacitorelement 3122-1 via a diode element 3126-1 to supply positive charges,based on the theory of electromagnetic capacitor. As anotherexplanation, when the sensor element moving module 3102 moves to theleft side in a case where charges are not stored on both electrodes ofthe capacitor element 3122-1, both the electrodes are simultaneously atthe negative potential, and the current 3148 flows to the rightelectrode of the capacitor element 3122-1 via the diode element 3126-1.

If the sensor element moving module 3102 moves to the right sideimmediately after that as shown in FIG. 12, the electromotive force onboth sides of the piezoelectric element 3130 is increased and thecurrent flows from the left side to the right side inside the resistor3120, in the piezoelectric type. In addition, in the electrostatic type,since the position of the counter-electrode 3136 is shifted more greatlywith respect to the position of the electric member 3134, the currentflows from the left side to the right side inside the resistor 3120 toreduce the amount of positive charges deposited on the surface of thecounter-electrode 3136. At this time, positive charges stored at theright electrode of the capacitor element 3122-1 move to a rightelectrode of a capacitor element 3122-2 via a diode element 3126-2. Toeliminate the positive charges, negative charges are stored in a leftelectrode of the capacitor element 3122-2. This phenomenon can also beexplained in the following manner. When the sensor element moving module3102 moves to the right side, the right side of the resistor 3120becomes at the positive potential, the potential of the right electrodeof the capacitor element 3122-1 becomes very high in the chargedistribution inside the capacitor element 3122-1 shown in FIG. 11, andthe current 3148 flows through the inside of the diode element 3126-2.As a result, the positive charges are stored in the right electrode ofthe capacitor element 3122-2 and the negative charges are stored in theleft electrode of the capacitor element 3122-2.

After that, when the sensor element moving module 3102 returns to theleft side as shown in FIG. 13, the current 3148 flows from the rightside to the left side, inside the resistor 3120. At this time, if thecharge distribution in the electrodes at both sides of the capacitorelement 3122-1 remains as shown in FIG. 12, the potential of the rightelectrode of the capacitor element 3122-2 becomes very low. As a result,the current 3148 flows to the right electrode of the capacitor element3122-1 via the diode element 3126-1, and the positive charges are storedin the right electrode of the capacitor element 3122-1. Simultaneously,the current flows from the left electrode of the capacitor element3122-1 to the instantaneous voltage generator 3104 via the resistor3120. As a result the negative charges are stored in the left electrodeof the capacitor element 3122-1.

FIG. 14 shows a circumstance in which the sensor element moving modulestarts moving to the right side. The current 3148 starts flowing fromthe left side to the right side inside the resistor 3120 when themovement starts, and the charge distribution on both sides of thecapacitor element 3122-1 indicates a moment at which the state shown inFIG. 13 is held. In this case, since the potential at the rightelectrode of the capacitor element 3122-1 becomes very high, the currentstarts flowing from the right electrode of the capacitor element 3122-1to the right electrode of the capacitor element 3122-3 via diodeelements 3126-2 and 3126-3. As shown in FIG. 15 as its result, thecharge distribution is generated in the electrodes at both sides of thecapacitor element 3122-3 (i.e., the voltage is generated/held at bothends of the capacitor element 3122-3). The voltage is thus sequentiallystored on both sides of capacitor elements 3122-2 to 3122-8.

In the present embodiment of the structure inside the sensor shown inFIG. 9, the acceleration sensor module or angular speed sensor module3006 and the environmental vibration power generation device 3000 arearranged separately from each other. Both modes may be integrated as anapplied example of the present embodiment. A basic structure of thiscase is shown in FIG. 16. By thus integrating a unit obtaining theacceleration signal or angular speed signal, an effect of downsizing thebodies of the sensors 2021 and 2022 can be obtained.

In FIG. 16, a plurality of instantaneous voltage generators (1) 3104-1to (n) 3104-n are arranged in one fixing module 3100. Signal detectors(1) 3110-1 to (n) 3110-n are installed for the instantaneous voltagegenerators (1) 3104-1 to (n) 3104-n, respectively. A detailed structurein each of the instantaneous voltage generators (1) 3104-1 to (n) 3104-nand each of the signal detectors (1) 3110-1 to (n) 3110-n may be thesame as the structure of the instantaneous voltage generator 3104 or thesignal detector 3110 shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 15. The other structuremay be adopted instead if it has means for implementing the samefunction. Thus, the effect of downsizing the bodies of the sensors 2021and 2022 can be obtained by commonly arranging the instantaneous voltagegenerators (1) 3104-1 to (n) 3104-n in the same fixing module 3100(i.e., commonly using the same fixing module 3100).

In addition, a detection signal obtained from each of the signaldetectors (1) 3110-1 to (n) 3110-n is subjected to operation processinginside a signal operator 3200 to extract the acceleration signal orangular speed signal.

Boosters (1) 3106-1 to (n) 3106-n are also installed for the respectiveinstantaneous voltage generators (1) 3104-1 to (n) 3104-n, parallel withthe signal processing circuits. A detailed structure in each of theboosters (1) 3106-1 to (n) 3106-n may be the same as the structure ofthe booster 3106 shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 15. The other structure may beadopted instead if it has means for implementing the same function.Outputs of the boosters (1) 3106-1 to (n) 3106-n are synthesized by asynthesizer 3210 and the synthesized output is connected to the storagemodule 3108. In FIG. 16, the boosters are electrically connected insidethe synthesizer 3210. Since the capacitor element 3128 is installed toprevent backflow, immediately before the exit of the boosters (1) 3106-1to (n) 3106-n as shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 15, no problems occur even ifthe modules are simply connected electrically as shown in FIG. 16.Instead, however, the power may be synthesized in a method of higherlevel.

Next, for example, the embodiment in the electrostatic type will beexplained as a specific arrangement example of the instantaneous voltagegenerators (1) 3104-1 to (n) 3104-n shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 17 shows aone-directional sectional arrangement. Electric electrode substrates (1)3132-1 to (3) 3132-3 and electric members (1) 3134-1 to (3) 3134-3 aresequentially layered and arranged inside the common fixing module 3100.

In contrast, a movable supporter 3139 shaped in a triangular prism isinstalled in the center of a moving module so as to be movable to thefixing module 3100. Incidentally, in FIG. 17, the movable supporter 3210is movable in a direction perpendicular to a sheet of the drawing (afrontward direction and a backward direction). In addition, metalelectrode substrates (1) 3138-1 to (3) 3138-3 and counter-electrodes (1)3136-1 to (3) 3136-3 are installed on side surfaces (square surfaces) ofthe triangular prism of the movable supporter 3210, and all of them aremovable synchronously with each other.

FIG. 18 shows a relationship of arrangement of the counter-electrodes(1) 3136-1 to (3) 3136-3 along the moving direction of the movablesupporter 3210. The counter-electrodes (1) 3136-1 to (3) 3136-3 arearranged to be displaced from the electric members (1) 3134-1 to (3)3134-3, respectively. An effect of simultaneously detecting not onlyabsolute values of the acceleration amount and the angular speed, but adirection of displacement can be obtained by such a displacement.

It is considered based on a positional relationship shown in FIG. 18that, for example, the metal electrode substrates (1) 3138-1 to (3)3138-3 are simultaneously displaced to the right and left sides. In thiscase, the absolute value of the negative charges deposited on thesurface of the counter-electrode (2) 3136-2 is reduced irrespective ofthe direction of displacement. In contrast, if the metal electrodesubstrates (1) 3138-1 to (3) 3138-3 are simultaneously displaced to theright side, the absolute value of the negative charges deposited on thesurface of the counter-electrode (1) 3136-1 is not varied but theabsolute value of the negative charges deposited on the surface of thecounter-electrode (3) 3136-3 is increased. Conversely, if the metalelectrode substrates (1) 3138-1 to (3) 3138-3 are simultaneouslydisplaced to the left side, the absolute value of the negative chargesdeposited on the surface of the counter-electrode (3) 3136-3 is notvaried but the absolute value of the negative charges deposited on thesurface of the counter-electrode (1) 3136-1 is increased. Thus, themovement direction and the movement speed variation of the metalelectrode substrates (1) 3138-1 to (3) 3138-3 can be recognized from thestrength and direction of the current flowing to each of thecounter-electrodes (1) 3136-1 to (3) 3136-3 (i.e., from the signaloperation result inside the signal operator 3200).

In addition, not only the arrangement shown in FIG. 18, but also theother arrangement may be applied. For example, positions of the electricmembers (1) 3134-1 to (3) 3134-3 may not be matched but displaced fromeach other, in the arrangement between the counter-electrodes (1) 3136-1to (3) 3136-3.

In the above-explanations, the movable supporter 3210 is moved in theone-axis direction, but the acceleration in three-axis directions or theangular speed in three-axis directions can also be detected by extendingthe same principle.

In the environmental vibration power generation device 3000 shown inFIG. 9, the voltage is gradually stored in the capacitor elements 3122-1to 3122-8 by continuously generating the acceleration or the angularspeed as understood from the explanations of FIG. 11 to FIG. 15.Conversely, if the acceleration or the angular speed is not generatedfor a long time, the power charged in (the capacitor element 3124 shownin FIG. 11 to FIG. 15, in) the charger 3108 is gradually discharged.Thus, if the environmental vibration power generation device 3000 isleft in a stationary state for a long time, the driving power can hardlybe supplied to the acceleration sensor module or angular speed sensormodule 3006, the near field communication module 3004 or the controller3002 shown in FIG. 9. In the present embodiment, taking advantage ofthis characteristic, the acceleration or the angular speed is outputimmediately after the acceleration or the angular speed becomes small.Thus, an effect of detecting the varied acceleration or angular speed ofhigh accuracy while securing stable supply of the power from theenvironmental vibration power generation device 3000 can be obtained.

In other words, when the worker works, the power of the environmentalvibration power generation device 3000 is stored in the sensors 2021 or2022 since the sensor 2021 or 2022 is vibrated or rotated. When theworker ends the work, the vibration or rotation of the sensor 2021 or2022 is stopped, and the system controller 1200 is notified of the stopof vibration or rotation of the sensor 2021 or 2022 in a period in whichthe power amount is secured in the environmental vibration powergeneration device 3000.

Extracting the variation timing of the acceleration or angular speed andextracting the acceleration value or angular speed value immediatelyafter the extraction of the variation timing may be executed in thecontroller 3002 shown in FIG. 9. A method of extracting the variationtiming of the acceleration or angular speed and extracting theacceleration value or angular speed value immediately after theextraction of the variation timing will be explained with reference toFIG. 19. The acceleration value or angular speed value obtained from thesignal operator 3200 shown in FIG. 16 is input into controller 3002. Areferential timing generator 3302 is provided in the controller 3002,and the acceleration signal or angular speed signal transmitted from thesignal operator 3200 is processed for each referential timing generatedby the referential timing generator 3302.

As an index of detecting the variation in acceleration or angular speed,a total value of “angular speeds in a certain rotational direction” oran average value at each timing may be used when the variation inangular speed is detected. When the variation in acceleration isdetected, “an absolute value of the acceleration”, “an amplitude valueof the variation signal varying in the positive or negative direction”or the like may be calculated and the total value or average value maybe calculated at each timing, since reverse in the accelerationdirection is often repeated. In addition, an absolute value operation oramplitude calculation of the angular speed may be executed or the totalvalue calculation or average calculation of the acceleration may beexecuted by considering the direction. The operation processing isexecuted in a predetermined-period storage/average calculator 3304.

In the present embodiment, comparison between a previously calculatedvalue of each predetermined timing and the calculated value subsequentto the calculated value is used for extraction o the variation timing.In other words, the index obtained by the predetermined-periodstorage/average calculator 3304 is temporarily stored in a temporarycalculation result storing module 3306 and, comparison with an indexobtained by the predetermined-period storage/average calculator 3304immediately after this is executed by a comparator 3308. If a comparisonresult exceeds a predetermined value (if the index value is greater orsmaller than the predetermined value), the comparison result isconsidered to be “greatly varied” and, the voltage is output (a flag isdisplayed) to a variation timing notification terminal 3314. Timing ofchange of the output value at the change timing notification terminal3314 represents the variation timing. Simultaneously with this, theindex value obtained immediately after the change is output to a changedvalue output terminal 3312.

The extracting method is represented in a form of circuit block diagramin FIG. 19, but the processing method may also be executed byprogram/software executed in the processor.

An output value of the changed value output terminal 3312 is transmittedfrom the near field communication module 3004 (FIG. 9) to the systemcontroller 1200 (FIG. 7A) with the change timing of the output value atthe change timing notification terminal 3314 used as a trigger. Acommunication information structure used for this communication isillustrated in FIG. 20.

Synchronous header SYNC is first transmitted in five bytes, and thenfollowed by receiving side address DADRS represented in sixteen bytessimilarly to transmitting side address SADRS represented in sixteenbytes. After changed value VACHG is transmitted immediately after thetransmission, error-correction code CRC is last transmitted. The valueoutput to the changed value output terminal 3312 shown in FIG. 19 isformat-converted and arranged in changed value VACHG.

The sensors 2021 or 2022 capable of detecting the above-explainedacceleration or angular speed may be employed in not only the worklocation explained with reference to FIG. 6, but also any other appliedfields. For example, the sensor can also be employed in aninfrastructural health market such as automatic diagnosis ofdeteriorated conditions of infrastructural installations in a socialinfrastructural environment. More specifically, the sensor 2021 or 2022used in the present embodiment system may be employed in a hammeringtest for partial degradation inspection in a railroad bridge or a tunnel(i.e., a test of expecting a deteriorated part from a pitch or tone of asound generated by hammering a part of infrastructural installations).In this case, the sensor 2021 or 2022 is fixed on a pillar, a wall or aceiling of the railroad bridge or tunnel with the adhesive element 3008at the portion which is in contact with the existing environment or theexisting device. The sensor 2021 or 2022 detects a vibration generatedwhen the worker hammers a specified part, and the system controller 1200(FIG. 7) collects the detection result to expect a deteriorated part.

Next, information collected in the system controller 1200 (FIG. 7) afterreceiving the communication information having the structure shown inFIG. 20 will be explained with the embodiment explained with referenceto FIG. 6. FIG. 21(a) shows steps before and after a screw fasteningwork. A vibration condition obtained before the worker approaches ascrew is a status of a general period 3402. Then, when the worker startsfastening the screw, the period shifts to a screw fastening period 3404.When fastening the screw is ended, the period shifts to a period afterend of fastening 3406.

FIG. 21(b) shows an acceleration value or angular speed value measuredat a position of the screw 2001 in each step. The device becomes in ageneral vibration state in the general period 3402 before the screwfastening work, and returns to the general vibration state when thescrew fastening work is completed, i.e., when fastening the screw isended, in 3406. As a result, the acceleration or angular speed isgreatly varied at a moment at which the general period 3402 shifts tothe screw fastening period 3404 and a moment at which the screwfastening period 3404 changes to the end of fastening 3406.

The moment at which the acceleration or angular speed is greatly variedis automatically extracted and, immediately after this, the accelerationvalue or angular speed value (or the storage amount or average value inthe predetermined period) is transmitted to the system controller 1200as information shown in FIG. 21(c).

FIG. 22 shows an angular speed variation detected by the sensor 2022 onthe door when the door 2006 of the embodiment explained with referenceto FIG. 6 is closed. The timing can be divided into a door stop time3502, a door rotation time 3504, and a door close time 3506 as shown inFIG. 22(a). FIG. 22(b) shows an angular speed variation detected by thesensor 2022 on the door in each period. The angular speed value becomesgreat at the door rotation time 3504, and becomes greatest immediatelybefore the door is closed. FIG. 22(c) shows an example of a storageamount (power generation amount) in the environmental vibration powergeneration device 3000 (FIG. 9) at this time. The power generation(storage) in the environmental vibration power generation device 3000 isnot started until the door rotation is started. The, the near fieldcommunication module 3004 and the controller 3002 operate in anoperation period 3508 in the only period in which the storage amountexceeds a predetermined value.

The near field communication can be executed in the only operationperiod 3508. Thus, the information which should be transmitted to thesystem controller 1200 (FIG. 7A) is transmitted with a delay from thestart of door rotation as shown in FIG. 22(e). Since the timing ofchange from the door rotation time 3504 to the door close time 3506 isin the operation period 3508, information of “angular speed of door atzero” is transmitted immediately after the timing of change.

In the embodiment system shown in FIG. 7A or FIG. 7B, the near fieldcommunication between the sensor 2500 or 1152 and the system controller1200 can be established at any time when the power supply to the sensors2500 and 1152 is stably executed at any time. The timing of near fieldcommunication between the sensor 2500 or 1152 or glass 1100 and thesystem controller 1200, which can stably supply the power, is thereforebasically controlled by the system controller 1200.

In contrast, the sensor 2021 or 2022 receiving the power supply from theenvironmental vibration power generation device 3000 can execute nearfield communication in the only operation period 3508 as shown in FIG.22(d). This timing cannot be preliminarily expected by the systemcontroller 1200. In the present embodiment system, the only sensor 2021or 2022 receiving the power supply from the environmental vibrationpower generation device 3000 is therefore assigned an authority tocontrol the timing of the near field communication. An effect ofexecuting stable near field communication can be thereby obtained.

Incidentally, in this case, the timing of the near field communicationmanaged by the system controller 1200 and the timing of the near fieldcommunication executed voluntarily by the sensor 2021 or 2022 overlap,and a factor of unstable near field communication is caused. To solvethis problem, in the present embodiment system, a wireless band(wireless reference frequency) of the near field communication managedby the system controller 1200 is separated from a wireless band(wireless reference frequency) of the near field communication executedvoluntarily by the sensor 2021 or 2022, to prevent crosstalk between theboth modules. Thus, stability of the near field communication managed bythe system controller 1200 can be thereby attempted.

Even if the crosstalk between the both modules is prevented by changingthe wireless band (wireless reference frequency) as explained above, arisk that crosstalk is caused by simultaneously transmitting signalsfrom the both sensor 2021 and the sensor 2022 may occur. To eliminatethe inconvenience, in the present embodiment system, a receive antennahaving a structure shown in FIG. 23 is used by the system controller1200 (FIG. 7).

The basic structure is composed of a stealth plate 2730 formed in ashape of an approximately triangular pyramid or an approximatelyquadrangular pyramid. Then, antennas 2710-1 in a cross shape arearranged on each side surface of the approximately triangular pyramid orapproximately quadrangular pyramid. The antennas 2710-1 are composed ofa set of antennas orthogonal to each other. A set of antennas 2710-1orthogonal in a cross shape may be arranged on a side surface of thestealth plate 2730, as represented by a solid line in FIG. 23A.Alternatively, plural sets of antennas 2710-1 orthogonal in a crossshape may also be arranged on a side surface of the stealth plate 2730,as represented by broken lines in FIG. 23B. The antennas 2710-2 and2710-3 represented by broken lines in FIG. 23B are attached to rotate bythirty degrees from the antennas 2710-1 orthogonal in a cross shape. Thecommunication information transmitted from the sensor 2021 or 2022receiving the power supply from the environmental vibration powergeneration device 3000 is received by the antennas 2710-1 arranged in across shape. An amplifier and a signal processing circuit are arrangedbetween the antennas 2710-1 to 2710-3 arranged in a cross shape.Incidentally, the antenna structure does not need to be exactly shapedin a triangular pyramid or a quadrangular pyramid, and the side surfacesof the plural stealth plates 2730 may face in different directions.

The detection sensitivity of the cross-shaped antennas 2710 arranged onthe side surface of the stealth plate 2730 shown in FIG. 23A depends ona receiving direction. The transmitting direction of the sensor 2021 or2022 can be identified by comparison between the detection signals fromthe respective side surfaces obtained from each amplifier and signalprocessing circuit.

In the above embodiments, although eyeglasses-type wearable terminalswere shown, the present invention is not limited to this type ofglasses. And the work contains various meanings and contains what isproduced by the act according [for example,] to persons, such as check,an inspection, operation, opening and closing, insertion, discharge,extraction, and contact.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the inventions.

Furthermore, the components of claims are in the category of theembodiments even if the components are expressed separately, even if thecomponents are expressed in association with each other or even if thecomponents are expressed in combination with each other. In addition,even if a claim is expressed as control logic, a program including aninstruction to urge a computer to be executed, or a computer-readablestorage medium storing the instruction, the device of the embodiments isapplied to the claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sensor comprising: an environmental vibrationpower generation device for supplying power; a communication module; atleast one of an acceleration sensor module and angular speed sensormodule; and a contact portion for contact with at least one of anexisting environment and an existing device, wherein the environmentalvibration power generation device is arranged at a position farther fromthe contact portion.
 2. A system comprising: a display; a sensor; and asystem controller connected to the display, wherein the sensorcomprising: an environmental vibration power generation device forsupplying power; a communication module; at least one of an accelerationsensor module and angular speed sensor module; and a contact portion forcontact with at least one of an existing environment and an existingdevice, wherein the environmental vibration power generation device isarranged at a position farther from the contact portion, and the systemcontroller is configured to detect completion of a user's predeterminedwork and display work start instruction data.